EVs Have the Lowest Annual Fuel Cost of All 2022 Light-Duty Vehicles
August 22, 2022 - All-electric vehicles might be more expensive initially, but once purchased, they bring significant cost savings over internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts.
Battery-electric vehicles are the absolute king in terms of energy costs, as all models had annual fuel costs of less than $1,000, regardless of type. Assuming EPA fuel economy data, plug-in hybrids and conventional hybrids (non-rechargeable) are the only types with an annual energy cost (electricity and fuel) in the $1,000-$2,000 range.
The annual fuel cost for ICE vehicles starts above $2,000, and varies vastly between $2,000 and $7,000, depending on type and fuel (gasoline, diesel, E85). Interestingly, the biggest differences between vehicles are in the small car category - because it contains ultra-efficient small cars, as well as luxury sports cars with low fuel economies, according to the report.
Jury Issues $1.7B Verdict Against Ford Over Fatal Super Duty Crash
August 22, 2022 - Ford could be forced to pay $1.7 billion in punitive damages as a jury in Georgia returned its verdict on Friday, Aug. 19. This comes after the death of a couple whose 2002 Ford F-250 Super Duty's roof caved in on them during a rollover.
The crash occurred in April 2014 when a tire came off Melvin and Voncile Hill's F-250 on a state highway. In 2018, the couple's children sued Ford, alleging that their parents' truck had a dangerously defective roof. Their lawyers provided evidence of 80 similar rollovers where occupants also suffered injury or death.
Initial legal proceedings ended in a mistrial. Ford's lawyer violated court directives by suggesting that the couple had not worn seatbelts during the crash and that Melvin Hill had alcohol in his bloodstream at the time. A toxicology report, however, exonerated Mr. Hill of drinking and driving.
Booster™ Names Andrew Hamel CTO
With an increasing focus on digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) and a data-driven customer experience, Booster™, announces Andrew Hamel as Chief Technology Officer (CTO).
“I am excited to join Booster, which is working with some of the world’s largest brands to accelerate the energy transition through mobile fueling,” Hamel said. “I look forward to immersing myself in the business, focusing on the customer, and collaborating with leadership to help grow and transform the business.”
Surviving a Lightning Strike Outdoors – Shelter in Your Car
The National Weather Service has a simple but effective slogan: "When thunder roars, go indoors."
"The most important thing is that you're safe inside of a large substantial building or a fully enclosed, metal-top vehicle," Ron Holle, a meteorologist and lightning safety specialist at the National Lightning Safety Council, told CNN. "Anywhere outside of those two locations is not safe."
If you hear thunder while camping or at the beach, without access to a large building, you should seek shelter in your vehicle immediately. You should wait 30 minutes from the last time you heard thunder to leave the vehicle, according to the weather service.
Paul Lauria of Mercury Associates Shares His Views on the Industry
“I believe that fleet management is going to change more in the next decade than it’s changed in the last century"
By Ed Pierce, Fleet Management Weekly Contributing Editor
Mercury Associates is widely known in the fleet industry as the largest fleet management consulting firm in North America.
Their consulting services help organizations better manage their fleets to boost performance and control costs. With the recent push towards fleet electrification and sustainability, they have been instrumental in guiding fleets as they navigate the integration of electric vehicles in an increasingly changing industry.
Paul Lauria founded and directed Mercury Associates for 20 years, serving as its President until his recent retirement. In his current role as Senior Advisor, he continues to consult for individual Mercury clients.
We sat down with him to hear his take on the current and future state of the fleet industry and how electrification fits in with other challenges facing fleet owners.
